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Abundance, distribution, and isotopic composition of particulate black carbon in the northern Gulf of Mexico
Author(s) -
Yang Weifeng,
Guo Laodong
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1002/2014gl061912
Subject(s) - abundance (ecology) , particulates , carbon black , carbon fibers , total organic carbon , environmental science , oceanography , particulate organic carbon , carbon cycle , environmental chemistry , geology , ecology , chemistry , nutrient , phytoplankton , biology , natural rubber , materials science , organic chemistry , ecosystem , composite number , composite material
There exists increasing evidence supporting the important role of black carbon in global carbon cycles. Particulate black carbon (PBC) is allochthonous and has distinct reactivities compared to the bulk particulate organic carbon (tot‐POC) in marine environments. However, the abundance, geochemical behavior of PBC and its importance in oceanic carbon budget remain poorly understood. Here we report the abundance, distribution, and stable isotopic signatures of BC derived from the chemo‐thermal oxidation (CTO‐375) method (BC CTO ) in the Gulf of Mexico. Our results show that BC CTO abundance decreased from shelf to basin, and more than a half of riverine BC CTO could be removed over the shelf. Moreover, BC CTO is much more refractory compared to the tot‐POC and has δ 13 C values lower than those of BC‐excluded POC. These results highlight the significance of PBC in marine carbon cycles and potentially suggest the need for a new end‐member term in quantifying POC sources in the ocean.